Trace elements

ABSTRACT

A method of preparing a trace element solution includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, providing a sodium selenite solution, and combining the EDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite solution to form a trace element solution. A EDTA complex is prepared by using disodium EDTA or EDTA acid, selenium, and any other suitable mineral.

The invention discloses a method of preparing a trace element solution,which includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex; ofproviding a sodium selenite solution; and of combining theEDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite solution. The invention furtherdiscloses at least one EDTA complex prepared by using disodium EDTA orEDTA acid; selenium; and any other suitable mineral.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to trace elements.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

It has been found that there is a deficiency of certain trace elementsin pastures for livestock in particular areas in South Africa and alsoin other countries. Various suggestions have been made to provide therequired trace elements to such animals. Different chemical compoundsand complexes have been investigated for applying the trace elements byway of licks, drenches or injections.

In general the problem with injectable solutions is that there are toolow concentrations of the minerals in the solutions. This means thatrelatively large quantities have to be injected, which in turn causetissue damage and also abscesses at the site of injection. Furthermore,it is generally the case that different trace elements seldomly areindividually sufficient. This means that two or more trace elementsolutions have to be provided by way of separate injections.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 (Howard) discloses mineral-containingtherapeutic compositions containing EDTA complexes of trace elements.Notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,116 utilises tetra-sodium EDTA, a seleniumglycine complex, and metal chlorides for the preparation of the EDTAcomplexes. Unfortunately, the chloride ions cause contamination and eachcomplex solution is to be made individually. Furthermore, overnight timeis required for complexing and heating up afterward to speed up theprocess requires extra apparatus. If mixtures are required, theindividual solutions are to be blocked. If various concentrations aswell as compositions are to be made, it can only be done in a cumbersomeway, requiring extra apparatus. A further problem may arise whenmixtures of high concentration are needed. In certain cases it would beimpossible to deliver them, because mixing is always accompanied bydilution.

It is an object of the invention to suggest methods and means forovercoming these problems.

In the specification and claims the expression EDTA refers to ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (C₁₀,H₁₆O₈N₂ or (HO₂CH₂C)₂NCH₂CH₂N-(CH₂CO₂H)₂).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a method of preparing a trace elementsolution includes the steps

-   -   (a) of providing at least one EDTA-complex;    -   (b) of providing a sodium selenite solution; and    -   (c) of combining the EDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite        solution.

If more than one EDTA-complex is used, these EDTA-complexes may beprepared in a single continuous process.

The EDTA-complex(es) may be prepared by using disodium EDTA or EDTAacid.

The EDTA-complex(es) may be prepared by using at least one selected fromthe group consisting of metal oxides, metal hydroxides and metalcarbonates.

The EDTA-complex(es) may include at least one of the metal compoundsselected from the group consisting of copper, manganese, zinc,molybdenum and chromium.

A trace element solution as prepared by a method as set out herein.

Also, according to the invention, a trace element solution includes

-   -   (a) at least one EDTA complex prepared by using disodium EDTA or        EDTA acid;    -   (b) selenium; and    -   (c) any other suitable mineral.

The solution may be an injectable solution.

The solution may be a drenchable solution.

Further according to the invention a stock lick includes

-   -   (a) at least one EDTA complex prepared by using disodium EDTA or        EDTA acid;    -   (b) selenium; and    -   (c) any other suitable mineral.

Also, according to the invention, a method of providing trace elementsto animals, such as livestock includes the steps of preparing a traceelement solution set out herein and of providing the solution in asuitable quantity to an animal.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

The invention will now be described by way of example of injectablesolutions in accordance with the invention.

Example 1 Di-Sodium Zinc Ethylene Diamino Tetra Acetate(C₁₀H₁₂O₈N₂ZnNa₂) in Water Solution

EDTA is suspended in a quantity of distilled water at 50° C. and isstirred continuously. In small proportions firstly sodium hydroxide(NaOH) and then zinc oxide (ZnO) are added in sequence. The pH of theclear solution obtained is measured and brought to 7, if necessary, byeither the addition of NaOH (if acid) or EDTA (if alkaline). Moredistilled water is added to bring the zinc concentration to apredetermined level, and the solution is subsequently filtered.

If 25.16 g zinc oxide, 90.37 g EDTA and 24.74 g NaOH are used and thetotal volume is 1 liter, the zinc concentration in the solution will be20 mg/ml.

Example 2 Di-Sodium Manganese Ethylene Diamino Tetra Acetate(C₁₀H₁₂O₈N₂MnNa₂) in Water Solution

The same method as under example 1 is used with the following variation:

Manganese carbonate (MnCO₃.xH₂O) is used in place of zinc oxide.

If 45.45 g manganese carbonate, 106.39 g EDTA and 29.12 g NaOH are used,and the total volume is 1 liter, the manganese concentration will be 20mg/ml.

Example 3 Di-Sodium Copper Ethylene Diamino Tetra Acetate(C₁₀H₁₂O₈N₂CuNa₂) in Water Solution

The same method as under Example 1 is followed but with the followingvariation:

Basic copper carbonate (CuCO₃Cu(OH)₂.H₂O) is used in place of the zincoxide.

If 18.81 g basic copper carbonate, 45.99 g EDTA and 12.59 g NaOH areused, and the total volume is 1 liter, then the copper concentration inthe solution will be 10 mg/ml.

Example 4 Mono-Sodium Chromium Diamino Tetra Acetate (C₁₀H₁₂O₈N₂CrNa) inWater Solution

The same method as under Example 1 is followed, but with the followingvariation:

Chromium tri-chloride hexahydrate (CrCl₃.6H₂O) is used in the place ofzinc oxide.

If 25.62 g chromium tri-chloride hexahydrate, 31.59 g EDTA and 15.38 gsodium hydroxide are used and the total is 1 liter, the chromiumconcentration in the solution will be 5 mg/ml.

Example 5 Sodium Selenite (Na₂SeO₃.H₂O) Solution in Water

If 12.09 g sodium selenite is used and the total volume is 1 liter, theselenium concentration in the solution will be 5 mg/ml.

Example 6 A Mixture of the Compounds of Examples 1 to 5

The method is a combination of the above methods under Examples 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 and takes place as follows:

-   -   1. The zinc preparation as per Example 1 is prepared.    -   2. To this added (in the same container) the chemicals as used        for Example 2 for the preparation of the manganese compound.    -   3. Then the chemicals used as under Example 3 for the        preparation of the copper compound are added.    -   4. At this stage the pH is brought to 7 as described under        Example 1 above.    -   5. Subsequently the chemicals used as under Example 4 for the        preparation of the chromium compound are added.    -   6. Lastly the chemicals used as under Example 5 are added.    -   7. Finally the total volume is adapted by the addition of        distilled water.    -   8. Filtration takes place.

If 25.16 g zinc oxide, 45.45 g manganese carbonate, 18.81 g basic coppercarbonate, 25.62 g chromium tri-chloride hexahydrate, 12.09 g sodiumselenite, 274.34 g EDTA and 81.83 g NaOH are used, and if the totalvolume is 1 liter, then the zinc concentration will be 20 mg/ml, themanganese concentration 20 mg/ml, copper concentration 10 mg/ml, thechromium concentration 5 mg/ml and the selenium concentration 5 mg/ml.

Example 7 Tetra Sodium Molybdenum Tri-Oxide Ethylene Diamino TetraAcetate (C₁₀H₁₂O₈N₂MoO₃Na₄) in Water Solution

Molybdenum tri-oxide (MoO₃) is suspended at room temperature in aquantity of water and stirred continuously. In portions in sequencefirstly sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and then EDTA are added. The pH of theclear solution obtained is measured and it is brought to 7 if required,by adding either NaOH (if acid) or EDTA (if alkaline). More distilledwater is added to bring the molybdenum concentration to a pre-determinedvalue. The pH is changed to 6 by the addition of concentrated HCl.Filtration takes place.

If 60.02 g MoO₃, 66.71 g NaOH and 121.84 g EDTA are used and if thevolume is 1 liter, then the molybdenum concentration will be 40 mg/ml.

In all of the above examples the order of mixing the chemicals may bechanged to some extent without any influence on the products formed.

All of the above products can be obtained as solids by evaporation ofthe appropriate solutions.

All of the above-mentioned chemicals may be substituted by others,provided the substitute are used in equivalent quantities. Theparticulars are as follows:

-   -   1. The di-sodium salt of EDTA in place of EDTA acid.    -   2. Basic zinc carbonate (2ZnCO₃.3Zn(OH)₂) or zinc hydroxide        (Zn(OH)₂) in place of zinc oxide.    -   3. Manganese hydroxide (Mn(OH)₂) in place of manganese        carbonate.    -   4. Cupric hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂) or cupric oxide (CuO) in place of        basic copper carbonate.    -   5. Anhydrous chromium tri-chloride (CrCl₃) in place of chromium        tri-chloride hexahydrate.    -   6. Sodium molybdate (Na₂MoO₄) in place of molybdenum tri-oxide.

1. A method of preparing a trace element solution, said methodconsisting essentially of the steps of: (a) preparing a single solutioncomprising more than one EDTA-complex as a sodium salt in a singlecontinuous process by suspending either disodium EDTA in water orsuspending EDTA acid in water with sodium hydroxide, and adding a addingat least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of metaloxides, metal hydroxides and metal carbonates to the EDTA solution toform the EDTA-complex, wherein the at least one metal compound comprisesat least chromium; and (b) adding sodium selenite to the solution ofEDTA-complexes to form the trace element solution in which the molarratio of selenium in the form of sodium selenite to the metal compoundsto the EDTA complexes varies between 1:4.8:4.8 and 1:19:19.
 2. A methodas claimed in claim 1, in which the EDTA-complexes comprise at least oneof the metal cation components selected from the group consisting ofcopper, manganese, zinc, zinc and molybdenum and chromium .
 3. A traceelement solution as prepared by a method as claimed in claim
 1. 4. Atrace element solution as claimed in claim 3, which is an injectablesolution.
 5. A trace element solution as claimed in claim 3, which is adrenchable solution.
 6. A stock lick, which comprises a trace elementsolution as prepared by a method as claimed in claim
 1. 7. A method ofproviding trace elements to animals, such as livestock, which comprisesthe steps of preparing a trace element solution as claimed in claim 1,and of providing the solution in a suitable quantity to an animal.